Hi, normally I don't like it when children invade my space in public. But I've never understood why stding up in the booth is an invasion of space. I will soon have a toddler and if I understand the objection then I am far more likely to make it a requirement not to do so.
I guess to me as long as the kid's shoes are clean (if he/she is old enough to walk) thenwhat's the harm.
The harm is teaching a child that it's acceptable to treat furniture like a stepping stool, that's it's perfectly acceptable to stare, and that meal time is play time, as opposed to time to eat, talk, and spend time together as a family.
Granted, no one will be physically harmed by the child. However, it can be exceedingly annoying to try and enjoy a meal and/or talk to a friend while a 3 year old is staring at you. As anyone who's ever had children can tell you, they generally don't just stare. They fidget (which can jar guests at an adjoining booth), they make faces, they point, etc. It's quite rude, honestly. Basic manners state that you SIT at the breakfast/lunch/dinner table.
I am a proud parent and I, too, am appalled at the way parents
of my generation (30something) are handling their children. I'm trying to raise a young lady (so far, so good.. 13 and still polite and deferential to adults) and these cretins let their children behave like animals. Disciplining a child doesn't make them love you less or "stifle" them, it turns them into pleasant adults.
You know those adults who have to have things their way all the time? The ones who show absolute disregard to those around them? That was them, as children. No one taught them better.
When we're the adults, we
should.
